Device for installing and removing gas purging plugs for metallurgical vessels

ABSTRACT

The present invention pertains to a device for installing and removing gas purging plugs (17) for metallurgical vessels, comprising a guide (7) for axially displacing the gas purging plug (17). On the one hand, movement exactly in the axial direction can be achieved during introduction, and, on the other hand, the extracted gas purging plug can be brought into an ejection position by providing hinges (6, 11), which permit at least two independent pivoting movements of the gas purging plug (17) around different axes (6a, 11a).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a device for installing and removinggas purging plugs for metallurgical vessels, especially for ladles, witha guide for axially displacing the gas purging plug.

A device suitable for extracting gas purging plugs, which consists of aframe attached to the bottom of the vessel, is described inDE-A1-33,30,105. A spindle, via which the force needed for theextraction can be applied, is mounted in the frame. It isdisadvantageous that it is very difficult to eject the used gas purgingplug because of the very cramped space conditions. Devices for insertingand extracting gas purging plugs, which consist of a lever hinged to oneend of the bottom of the vessel, have been known from DE-A1,38,33,504.The gas purging plug is arranged in a hinged manner approximately in thecenter of the lever arm. Such devices are permanently attached to thebottom of the vessel, because they are also used as a closure forholding the gas purging plug during operation. Consequently, a separatedevice is needed for each site of installation of a gas purging plug.Another disadvantage of such devices is the fact that hot gases mayescape from the vessel, and if these gases come into contact with a gaspurging plug freshly coated with a layer of mortar, they bring about anundesired, nonuniform and excessively rapid drying. In addition, thenozzle brick is accessible with very great difficulty only for cleaningoperations that may be necessary.

Exactly parallel introduction of the gas purging plug is not possible inthis manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The task of the present invention is to avoid these disadvantages, andto provide a device that makes possible both the extraction and theinsertion of gas purging plugs, wherein the gas purging plug to beinserted can be brought, on the one hand, into a position in which alayer of mortar can be applied with ease, and, on the other hand,movement exactly in the axial direction during introduction can beachieved. In addition, a position is to be provided, in which theextracted gas purging plug can easily be ejected.

The device is therefore designed according to the present invention suchthat hinges are provided, which permit at least two independent pivotingmovements of the gas purging plug around different axes.

To extract a gas purging plug, the metallurgical vessel is usuallybrought into the lying position, in which the bottom of the vesselstands upright, and the axis of the gas purging plug is consequentlyhorizontal. Exactly axial movement of the gas purging plug is guaranteedby the guide, so that the mortar is prevented from being stripped off,and a uniform joint is obtained. Another advantage of the presentinvention is that the nozzle brick can easily be freed from mortarresidues after extraction of the gas purging plug.

If the two axes are essentially at right angles to one another, thedevice is attached to the vessel such that the axis of one of the hingeswill be essentially vertical, so that pivoting can be performed withoutan essential expenditure of force, because the force of gravity does nothave to be overcome. The second hinge with the essentially vertical axisis used to pivot the gas purging plug completely out of the area of theopening and to bring it into a position with the vertical axis, in whichoperations can easily be performed on the gas purging plug. Inparticular, the layer of mortar necessary for correct seating can thuseasily be applied to the vertical gas purging plug.

It is favorable for the guide to contain a bar, on which a slide isslidably arranged. This permits simple and rapid displacement of the gaspurging plug.

One particularly advantageous design embodiment is obtained if a firsthinge permits the pivoting of the guide in relation to the vessel, and asecond hinge permits pivoting of the gas purging plug in relation to theslide. The second hinge may hold rotatably on the slide a head that canbe fixed by a locking means.

The insertion and the extraction of the gas purging plug is facilitatedif a guide tube is guided axially displaceably in the head formanipulating the gas purging plug. A tool can be put on the guide tubefor connection to the gas purging plug. This tool may have a differentdesign for inserting the gas purging plug than for extraction.

To press the gas purging plug into the vessel during insertion, thedevice may have a mounting means for a compressed-air hammer. Thiscompressed-air hammer may be attached at the outer end of the guidetube. The joint can thus be prepared precisely according to thespecified value, and the operation can be performed by a single worker.

Support plungers, which are arranged in a regular pattern around theaxis of the gas purging plug, are preferably provided for extracting thegas purging plug. Furthermore, hydraulic plungers may also be providedfor extracting the gas purging plug. This makes it possible to extractthe gas purging plug in a simple and reliable manner.

In a special design variant of the present invention, two supportplungers, whose axes are located in one plane, which contains the axisof the gas purging plug, are provided, and they [support plungers] aresupported at the head. As a result, the force needed for extraction canbe transmitted from the gas purging plug to the vessel in a favorablemanner, without loading the hinges of the device.

According to another design variant of the present invention, thesupport plungers used for the extraction process may be designed ashydraulic plungers, which act against the direction of extraction. Thedesign and the handling of the device are simplified as a result.

Since it is not necessary for the device to permanently remain on thevessel, provisions may be made for it to contain a coupling piece fordetachably fastening it to the vessel. A plate, which is attached to thebottom of the vessel or the flange of the gas purging plug, and whichmay be provided with a refractory backfill, is used to hold the gaspurging plug during operation.

It is also advantageous for a fine adjustment means to be provided inthe area of the slide, in order to accurately align the gas purgingplug. Tolerances or clearances in the area of the hinges or the guidecan thus easily be compensated, so that exactly axial movement of thegas purging plug is always guaranteed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be explained in greater detail below on thebasis of the exemplary embodiment represented in the drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 8 show a first design variant; namely, FIG. 1 shows atop view of the device according to the present invention during theextraction of the gas purging plug; FIG. 2 shows a side view during theextraction of the gas purging plug; FIG. 3 shows a top view of thedevice according to the present invention during the insertion of thegas purging plug; FIG. 4 shows a side view during the insertion of thegas purging plug; FIG. 5 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 1 with thegas purging plug extracted; FIG. 6 shows such a view on a reduced scale,with the gas purging plug pivoted away; FIG. 7 shows a front view on areduced scale in the position for ejecting the gas purging plug; andFIG. 8 shows a front view on a reduced scale in the position forattaching a new gas purging plug. FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further designvariant of the device according to the present invention; namely, FIG. 9shows a top view, and FIG. 10 shows a side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the position of the device according to the presentinvention during the extraction of the gas purging plug 17 from thenozzle brick 18. Due to the vessel being pivoted, the ladle bottom 1 isbrought into a vertical position, so that the axis 17a of the said gaspurging plug 17 will be horizontal. A gas purging plug flange 2 isprovided at the said ladle bottom 1 in the known manner. A holder 3 forthe device 4 according to the present invention is welded to it [thesaid gas purging plug flange]. The coupling piece 5 of the said device 4is detachably fastened to the said holder 3. A guide 7, which contains abar arranged behind a cover 8, is hinged to the said coupling piece 5pivotably around the axis 6a of the said first hinge 6. The said axis 6ais essentially vertical, so that the force of gravity does not have tobe overcome during the pivoting of the said guide 7 around this saidaxis 6a. A slide 9 is slidably provided on the said bar. A head 12 isattached to the said slide 9 rotatably around the axis 11a of the secondhinge 11. The said second hinge 11 is designed as a bolt, which isrigidly connected to the said slide 9, and engages a corresponding boreof the said head 12. The said axis 11a of the said second hinge 11 is atright angles to the said axis 6a of the said first hinge 6.

Furthermore, a disk 10a, which has a plurality of holes in the area ofits circumference, which a locking means 10 is able to engage, isrotatably mounted on the said bolt of the said slide 9. The said disk10a is connected to the said head 12 via a fine adjustment means 13designed as a threaded spindle. Pivoting of the said head 12 around thesaid second axis 11a is brought about by releasing the said lockingmeans 10 and rotating the said disk 10a and the said head 12 together.When the desired position, i.e., the horizontal position for introducingthe said gas purging plug 17, is reached, further movement is preventedby the said locking means 10 snapping into a corresponding bore of thesaid disk 10a. Via the said fine adjustment means 13, the said head 12can be slightly rotated in relation to the said disk 10a, so thataccurately centric introduction of the said gas purging plug 17 is madepossible.

A guide tube 14 is mounted axially slidably in the said head 12. Thetongs 15a for extracting the said gas purging plug 17 is coupled to thefront end of the said guide tube 14 via a bayonet catch. The said tongs15a can easily be coupled with the said gas connection pipe 16 of thesaid gas purging plug 17 via a closing mechanism 19. Two hydraulicplungers 21a and 21b, which act on a pressure plate 24, which introducesthe force into the said guide tube 14 via a wedge 25 inserted into thesaid guide tube 14 during the extraction process, are attached to thesaid head 12. The said head 12 is supported on the said gas purging plugflange 2 via support plungers 20a and 20b. The said support plunger 20ais omitted in FIG. 1 for clarity's sake. Via a hydraulic line 22,represented schematically, the said hydraulic plungers 21a and 21b areconnected to a hydraulic pump 23, which is designed as a hand pump,attached to the said guide 7, in the exemplary embodiment.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, a thrust piece 15b for inserting the said gas purgingplug 17 is coupled to the said guide tube 14. The said gas connectionpipe 16 is directly introduced into the thrust piece 15b and the saidguide tube 14. A compressed-air hammer 26, with which the force neededfor insertion can be applied, is attached to the end of the said guidetube 14. The force is applied to the bottom plate of the said gaspurging plug 17 via the said thrust piece 15b.

It is clear that it is possible to combine the functions of the saidtongs 15a and of the said thrust piece 15b in a single component. Such acomponent may then be made in one piece with the said guide tube 14.

FIG. 5 shows the said device 4 in a position, in which the said slide 9has been pushed into the outermost position on the said guide 7 afterextraction. The said slide 9 is held in this position by the endposition-securing means 27.

In FIG. 6, the said guide 7 and consequently also the said slide 9 andthe said head 12 are pivoted, together with the said guide tube 14 andthe said gas purging plug 17, around the axis 6a of the said first hinge6 by about 90°.

In FIG. 7, the said head 12 is rotated by 90° around the said axis 11aof the said second hinge 11 in relation to the said slide 9 such thatthe said axis 17a of the said gas purging plug 17 is essentiallyvertical, and the said gas purging plug 17 is directed downward. Thesaid gas purging plug 17 can easily be discarded in this position.

In FIG. 8, the said head 12 is rotated by 90° around the said axis 11aof the said second hinge 11 in relation to the said slide 9 such thatthe said axis 17a of the said gas purging plug 17 is essentiallyvertical, and the said gas purging plug 17 is directed upward. A new gaspurging plug 17 is attached in this position, and the necessary layer ofmortar is subsequently applied to this said gas purging plug 17. It isessential for the said gas purging plug 17 to be located at a relativelygreat distance from the opening 28 of the said gas purging plug flange 2in this position, and especially to be pivoted out of the area of thesaid axis 28a, along which hot gases may be discharged. Unhinderedworking on the said gas purging plug 17 is thus possible, and it isguaranteed that the mortar layer is prevented from setting prematurely.

According to a second design variant of the device according to thepresent invention, which is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the supportplungers used for the extraction process are designed as hydraulicplungers 30a and 30b, which act against the direction of extraction. Thesaid hydraulic plungers 21a and 21b, as well as the said pressure plate24 are omitted in this embodiment. All the grips for operating thesupports are eliminated, because the said hydraulic plungers 30a and 30bare extended via the said hydraulic pump 23. The said plungers arewithdrawn via a restoring spring provided in each said hydraulicplunger.

In this embodiment, the said gas purging plug 17 is installed andremoved with the same tool 31, which is a combination of the said thrustpiece 15b and the said tongs 15a. The said tool 31 is screwed onto thesaid guide tube 14. The frictional connection for the extraction processis established between the said guide tube 14, the said inserted wedge25, and the said slide 9.

However, this design variant requires synchronous movement of the saidtwo hydraulic plungers 30a and 30b, because warping of the device couldotherwise occur.

We claim:
 1. Device for installing and removing gas purging plugs (17)for metallurgical vessels, comprising a guide (7) for axially displacingthe gas purging plug (17), a first hinge (6) having an axis (6a) forpivoting the gas purging plug into a maintenance position, and a secondhinge (11), whose axis (11a) extends essentially at right angles to theaxis (6a) of the first hinge (6).
 2. Device in accordance with claim 1,wherein the guide (7) contains a bar, on which a slide (9) is slidablyarranged.
 3. Device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the first hinge(6) permits the guide (7) to be pivoted in relation to the vessel, andthat the second hinge (11) permits the gas purging plug (17) to bepivoted in relation to the slide (9).
 4. Device in accordance with claim3, wherein the second hinge (11) rotatably holds on the slide (9) a head(12), which can be fixed by means of a locking means (10).
 5. Device inaccordance with claim 4, wherein a guide tube (14) for manipulating thegas purging plug (17) is guided axially displaceably in the head (12),and a tool (15a, 15b; 31) can be attached to the guide tube (14) forconnection to the gas purging plug (17).
 6. Device in accordance withclaim 1 wherein support plungers (20a and 20b) for extracting the gaspurging plug (17), which are arranged in a regular pattern around theaxis (17a) of the gas purging plug (17), are provided.
 7. Device inaccordance with claim 4, wherein two support plungers (20a and 20b),whose axes are located in one plane, which contains the axis (17a) ofthe gas purging plug (17), are provided at the head (12).
 8. Device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein hydraulic plungers (21a and 21b) areprovided for extracting the gas purging plug (17).
 9. Device inaccordance with claim 6, wherein the support plungers used for theextraction process are designed as hydraulic plungers (30a and 30b),which act against the direction of extraction.
 10. Device in accordancewith claim 1, further including mounting means mounting for acompressed-air hammer (26) for pressing the gas purging plug (17) intothe vessel.
 11. Device in accordance with claim 1, further including acoupling piece (5) for detachably fastening the device to the vessel.12. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a fine adjustment means(13) is arranged in the area of the slide (9) for accurately aligningthe gas purging plug (17).
 13. Device for installing and removing gaspurging plugs (17) for metallurgical vessels, comprising a guide (7) foraxially displacing the gas purging plug (17), a first hinge (6) havingan axis (6a) extending vertically for pivoting the gas purging plug intoa maintenance position, and a second hinge (11), whose axis (11a)extends horizontally essentially at right angles to the axis (6a) of thefirst hinge (6),the first hinge (6) being detachably coupled to themetallurgical vessel, the guide (7) being pivotally connected to thefirst hinge (6), wherein the guide (7) contains a bar, on which a slide(9) is slidably arranged, wherein the first hinge (6) permits the guide(7) to be pivoted in relation to the vessel, and the second hinge (11)permits the gas purging plug (17) to be pivoted in relation to the slide(9), wherein the second hinge (11) is rigidly connected to the slide (9)and rotatably holds on the slide (9) a head (12), which can be fixed bymeans of a locking means (10), wherein a guide tube (14) formanipulating the gas purging plug (17) is guided axially displaceably inthe head (12), and a tool (15a, 15b; 31) can be attached to the guidetube (14) for connection to the gas purging plug (17), wherein supportplungers (20a and 20b) for extracting the gas purging plug (17), whichare arranged in a regular pattern around the axis (17a) of the gaspurging plug (17), are provided, wherein two support plungers (20a and20b), whose axes are located in one plane, which contains the axis (17a)of the gas purging plug (17), are provided at the head (12), whereinhydraulic plungers (21a and 21b) are provided for extracting the gaspurging plug (17), further including mounting means for mounting acompressed-air hammer (26) for pressing the gas purging plug (17) intothe vessel, further including a coupling piece (5) for detachablyfastening the device to the vessel, wherein a fine adjustment means (13)are arranged in the area of the slide (9) for accurately aligning thegas purging plug (17).
 14. Device in accordance with claim 13, whereinthe support plungers used for the extraction process are designed ashydraulic plungers (30a and 30b), which act against the direction ofextraction.